Blowing-off machine for lamp-bulbs.



No. 729,237. PATENTED MAY 26, 190s.l A. SWAN. BLOWING OFP MACHINE PoRLAMP BULBS.

N0 MODEL.

Witnesses: ,Inventors m: Normas PETERS co, Primo-Uma.. wwmsron, n. c.

g rrED STATES Patented May Q6, 1909;;

PATENT OFFICE.

ALFRED swAN, or NEw YORK, N. Y., AssieNoR To GENERAL ELECTRIC' COMPANY,A CORPORATION orf-NEW YORK.

BLOwlNe-OFF MACHINE FOR LAMP-BULBS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No; 729,237, dated May 26,1903;

Application filed June 13,1901.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be tknown that I, ALFRED SWAN, a subject of the King of Great Britain,residing at New York, in the county of New York, State of New York, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Blowing-Off Machines forLamp-Bulbs, of which the following is a specification.

In the manufacture or' incandescent-electric lamps the glass bulbs inwhich the vacuum is formed to inclose the carbon iilament are furnishedthe lamp-m aker by the glass manufacturer7 with a long neck to the bulb,and in preparing the bulb for the stem which carries the carbon filamentit is necessary to remove part of this neck. This is commonly done byhand,

v the bulb being revolved horizontally in a blowpipe-flame until theglass is properly softened, after which the extra length is severed bythe Operator.

My present invention relates to means for accomplishing this result morerapidly and effectively and with a greater uniformity in the characterof the edge left by the separation of the parts.

In carrying out my invention I mount the bulb in a vertical position andcause to play upon it at the point where it is to be cut a blowpipe-amewith means, such as a rotation of the bulb in the flame, for uniformlyapplying the heat to all points of the line on which the neck is to becut. The application of the flame is continued until the glass softensand the extra length of neck drops oif by gravity, the remaining portionof the neck closing together, so as to form a seal. I provide means forapplying air-pressure within the bulb at this moment, by which thesoftened glass where it is closed in is blown out into an extremely thiniilm which ruptures under the air-pressure and leaves a good edge aroundthe bottom of the bulb for sealing in the lamp-stem. To facilitate theapplication Of air-pressure at the proper juncture, I mount a tubeconnected with supply of air which may be instantly brought against thebulb or its tubulature, so as to supply the pressure for theblowing-offoperation. IA preferably arrange the end of the air-pipe inthe form of a bell which surrounds the tubulature and comes down on thetop of the bulb, a packing Serial No. 64,438. (No model.) l

of soft rubber being applied at the mouth of the bell to provide anair-tight joint. I provide means for rendering this operation easy tothe operator, such as a treadle, by which the blowpipe-iiame isautomatically reduced at the moment air-pressure is applied to admit ofan effective blowing-orf Operation.

My invention involvesl various improvements, the novelty of which willbe hereinafter more fully described.

I believe it is broadly 4novel to work glass in the way hereindescribed-that is to say, to soften it in a blOwpipe-lame while in avertical position, .in which the parts when softened tend to assume aposition symmetrical with respect to the axis of the bulb or other partbeing operated upon, then to cause the glass to close in, so as to forman air-tight seal, and then to apply pressure for blowing ofi', ashereinbefore described.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a machine for carryingout my'invention, Figure l is a sectional view, parts being shown inelevation; and Fig. 2 is a detail view of the gas and air cock forregulating the flame and air-pressure.,

l represents a part of an operators table in which is mounted a rotativeframe 2, driven by a belt 3. The frame is mounted on an easyrunningbearing, shown in the drawings as a ball-bearing. This frame is providedwith a socket at the top, as indicated at 4, to re- `ceive the bulb ofan incandescent lamp or other glass body which is to be treated.

These bulbs as they come to the operator for the blowing-Off operationare provided with a long neck 5, which must be cut oil' at a point ashort distance below the swell of the bulb where the joint is to be madewith the stem which carries the lamp-filament. These bulbs are providedwith tubulatures 6, which are added by the lamp-maker for the purpose offacilitating the exhaustingv Operation.

Mounted on a fixed part of the framework of the machine is a hollowcasting 7, which may, as indicated iu Fig. 1, be made up of two pieces,one of which contains two circular grooves S S, communicating with pipes9 9 for the supply of gas and air to provide a blowpipe-liame. The iixedpipes communicate with iexible tubes leading to gas and IOO air supplymains 10 10, a cut-off apparatus or valve being interposed to controlthe supply of air or gas. The blowpipe-iiames may be produced in theusual manner, as shown in the drawings. Rows of air-pi pes communicatingwith the circular ducts 8 8 are provided, the tips pointing toward acommon center, as indicated at 1l, through which the axis of the bulbprojects, the gas being delivered from a set of pipes communicating withthe common supply-duct 8 and discharging from perforated heads, as 12,one for each air-jet, all the jets, both air and gas, being providedwith adjusting-cocks, as indicated in 1.

The f rame on which the air and gas pipes are mounted is adapted toslide vertically, as

indicated in Fig. 1, and may be adjusted by .without a relativeadjustment of the fire and bulb the remaining portion of the neck wouldbe of uneven lengths. The operator, however, by a simple manipulation ofthe handle 14 may turn out a uniform product. The

.revolution of the frame carrying the bulb causes a uniform distributionof heat around the neck of the bulb andthe glass is uniformly softenedand drops off under the weight of the lower part, the remaining partclosing together, so as to seal the bulb. As soon as the parts aredisconnected, the operator, by pressing her foot on a treadle 15, shiftsa valve 16, which cuts off the gas and air supply from the burners,leaving` only a dim ame. The valve is connected with a toggle 17,controlled by a spiral spring 1S, and when open connects the gas and airsupply pipes 10 10 with the pipes 9 9". A branch from the air-pipeconnects through a rubber tube 19 with an iron pipe 20, pivoted formovement in a vertical plane on a standard 21 at a point indicated indotted lines at 2Oa and normally thrown upward by means of a helicalspring 22. This pipe carries at its end a bell-shaped cup 23, having asoft-rubber lining with a projecting lip 24 to'bear on the top of thebulb and deep enough to inclose the tubnlature 6 of the bulb. Thetreadle 15 is connected by a link 25 with the pivoted pipe 20, so thatwhen the gas is cut off by an operation of the treadle the cup 2l isbrought against the bulb and air-pressure simultaneously applied bywhich the softened closed-in neck is blown out into a thin film whichiiakes off from the edge and leaves an edge satisfactory for thesealing-in operation. W hen the treadle is depressed, the valve 16 islocked in a closed position by means of a spring-actuated latch 26, thenose of which engages a sliding rod 27, connected to the link 28, theupper end of which is secured to the operating-toggle. After theblown-off bulb has been removed and a new one inserted the latch may bereleased by the operator pressing her foot on the rod 29, which bearsupon a projection 30 of the latch, (see Fig. 2,) thereby releasing theslide 27 and permitting the spring 1S to restore the gas and airpressure to the blowpipe-ame, thereby applying the lire t0 the new bulb.

By the means herein described, the bulb being vertically supported, auniform blowingoff operation may be effected by an unskilled operator.The softened glass closes in symmetrically with respect to the axis ofthe bulb and produces a circular cut, all parts of which lie in the sameplane transverse to the bulb axis, whereas in the blowing-off operationmade while the bulb is supported horizontally a skilled operator isnecessary to produce good work.

That I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of theUnited States, is-

1. Means for blowing off lamp-bulbs, comprising a bulb-support formaintaining the bulb in a vertical position and having free space belowthe bulb, means for distributing a flame uniformly along a line ofcutting below the support, and means for applying pressure to the bulbafter the severed part has fallen olf.

2. A blowing-off machine for lamp-bulbs, comprising a bulb-support formaintaining the bulb in a vertical position, means for distributing aflame along a line below the support whereby the bulb is severed and theend of the supported part closes in, and means for applying air-pressureto the interior of thev bulb after the parts are severed.

A blowing-off machine for lamp-bulbs, comprising a bulb-support formaintaining the bulb in a vertical position, means for heating it alongthe line of the cut whereby the bulb is severed and the unsupported partfalls by gravity when the glass is softened, and means for applyingpressure to the bulb after the parts have been severed.

4C. A blowing-off machine for lamp-bulbs, comprising a rotary supportfor revolving the bulb with its axis in a vertical position, means fordirecting a flame along the line of the cut whereby the bulb is severedand the unsupported part falls by gravity when the glass is softened,and means for lowering the name and applying pressure to the interior ofthe bulb.

5. A blowing-off machine for lamp-bulbs, comprising a rotary framecarrying a holder for supporting the bulb in a vertical position, meansfor directing a` flame against the bulbneck below the support to cut oifa portion thereof, and means for rupturing the seal formed in thebulb-neck.

' 6. A blowing-off machine for lamp-bulbs, comprising a frame carryingmeans for supporting the bulb in a vertical position and having anopening below the bulb, means for IOO IIO

directing` a flame against the bulb-neck,1neans for adjusting the bulband flame relatively to each other, and means for changing the pressurewithin the bulb so as to rupture the seal formed in the bulb-neck.

7. A blowing-oft' machine for lamp-bulbs, comprising a support to graspthe bulb between its ends and maintain it in a vertical position, saidsupport being provided with an opening below the bulb, means forsupplying' a horizontal flame to fuse the glass below the support, and apressure-pipe for applying pressure to the bulb to blow off the seal atthe point of fusion.

S. A blowing-off machine for lampbulbs, comprising a rotary holder forthe bulb having an opening below the bulb, an annular row of gas-burnersto fuse the glass between the support and the lower end of the bulb sothat the bulb is severed and the severed part is free to fall, apressure-pipe for conducting air to the bulb tubulature, and means forcutting down the flame when the pressure-pipe is connected.

f). A blowing-olf machine for lamp-bulbs, comprising a rotary holder forthe bulb, means for directing a gas-ame against the bulbneck for fusing'the glass on a horizontal line and causing the unsupported portion belowthe flame to drop olf and the neck of the bulb to close in at thatpoint, a pressure-pipe for conducting air to the tubulature, and meansfor simultaneously cutting down the iiaine and applying air-pressure tothe interior of the bulb.

10. A blowing-off machine for lamp-bulbs, comprising a rotary holder forthe bulb, means for supplying` a gas-flame for fusing the glass on ahorizontal line, a movable pressure-pipe provided with an elastic tip tosurround the 1,3 iV j;

tubulature, and a valve to cut down the flame and admit pressure to thepipe.

11. v A blowing-off machine for lamp-bulbs, comprising a rotary holderfor thebulb to maintain the same in a vertical position, means fordirecting a flame on the bulb-neck and adjusting it vertically thereonwhereby the neck is severed at the point of heating, and means forapplying pressure within the bulb to blow off the seal left after theneck has been severed.

12. A blowing-off machine for lamp-bulbs, comprising a holder tomaintain the bulb in a vertical position grasping it between its ends, apivoted pressure-pipe provided with' an elastic mouth, means forsupplying a iiamc, and means for cutting down the iiame and applyingair-pressure to the pipe.

13. Ablowing-oi'l machine for lamp-bulbs, comprising a holder tomaintain the bulb in a vertical position grasping it between the ends,means for directing a flame horizontally, a pressure-pipe, a valvecontrolling air and gas pressure, a valve-operating device, and a latchto hold the same set.

14. A blowing-off machine for lamp-bulbs, comprising a holder tomaintain the bulb in a vertical position grasping it between its ends,means for directing a iiame horizontally, a spring-controlledpressure-pipe, a treadle for applying the pipe to the bulb andsimultaneously cutting down the flame, and a latch for retaining theparts in a position in which the flame is cut down.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 11th day of June,1901.

ALFRED SWVAN.

Witnesses:

S. N. VHITEHEAD, JOHN E. MITCHELL, Jr.

